The Fiesta Americana Grand Resort in Los Cabos Mexico
Cabo San Lucas - Mexico
- I just wanted to say thanks for reading my weekly newsletter. I’m sitting on the terrace overlooking the beautiful beaches of Cabo San Lucas Mexico as I type. Yes, I’m actually taking a little break this week - some much needed R&R with the fam. I’ll be back this Friday in SF, just in time for the weekends events. Until then, have a great week and I’ll have more news and music for you next week. I got a great interview with Bobo of Cypress Hill lined up for you to read and info on this weekends events.
Getting to know you…
Friends, I’d like to introduce you all to Eric “Bobo” Correa - percussionist extradordinaire for the legendary latino hip hop group, Cypress Hill. A lot of you think B-Real, when you hear Cypress HIll - but Bobo is the MAN who brings the flava to the Cypress Hill sound. He is the of the legendary latin jazz musician Willie Bobo. When Eric’s father passed away at the age of 15, he took over his fathers band. Eric Bobo caught the attention of the Beastie Boys, who he worked with on the classic albums, “Ill Communicaton” and “Hello Nasty.” While on tour with the Beastie Boys, he met Cypress Hill and became their percussionist on their world tours, sharing time between both crews. The rest is hip hop history. HIs skill on the percussion is like no other. The way he manipulates the congas is un-real…a true master at his craft. This Saturday, Eric Bobo & DJ Rhettmatic of the World Famous Beat Junkies will be performing a live DJ + Percussion set at Flava of The Month. It’s definitely something you don’t wanna’ miss! With that said…get to know my dude, Eric “Bobo” Correa.
Name: Eric Bobo
Location: Los Angeles
Job Title: Percussionist
Company/ Crew/ Affiliation: Cypress Hill / Audio Hustlaz/ Soul Assassins
Websites:
- You started young with the percussion instruments - who was your inspiration? - My biggest musical inspiration had to be my father Willie Bobo. Learning from him had to be the best experience because he had played with a lot of music innovators. All I had to be was a sponge and soak it all in.
- Where did the nickname ‘Bobo’ come from? - The nickname “Bobo” came from my dad. As I would perform with him, people would call me “Lil Bobo”, which I hated. I didn’t think the name “Bobo” really fit me. As I got older, the name began to stick a little more and eventually I accepted it as my own.
- August 1991 - Cypress Hill drops their first album. Did you have any idea that y’all were gonna’ have such a huge impact on the hip hop community? - I had no idea. I just tripped out that they were rhyming so openly about weed. When the first album dropped, I hadn’t met them yet but I quickly became a fan. I met them about a year later when they opened up for the Beastie Boys, with whom I was performing with at the time.
- What’s your personal all time favorite Cypress Hill record and why? - Besides that first album, my favorite album has to be “IV”. That album was really the first Cypress album that I was heavily involved with. I had been on the album “Temples of Boom” but “IV” was like my true introduction on wax with the Hill.
- Are there any dope Puerto Rican food spots in LA, I’m a big fan of Versailles - but they’re Cuban. - Unfortunately, there really aren’t any true Puerto Rican restaurants out here in L.A. We have to settle with the Cuban spots, which I don’t mind because the food is kinda similar.
- What’s your industry rule number 4080? - No shitting on the tour bus ever!!!!
- Who can smoke more trees, you and Rhett or AM and Travis - LOL? - Me & Rhett hands down. AM doesn’t smoke anymore so let’s just say they lose by default.
- When you’re not in the studio or on tour - what do you do for fun? - I really like to spend time with family & friends because there were lots of times & special events that I missed due to touring. I also enjoy reading and sports. I am also a self-proclaimed Twitterholic.
- Name your top 5 favorite latino emcees of all time? - Not in any particular order:
1) Big Pun
2) Tego Calderon
3) B Real
4) Residente (Calle 13)
5) Thurstin Howl III
- Man, you be beating up the congas when you perform - don’t your hands fuckin’ hurt? I’d really hate to be your hands. - Hahaha….My hands have taken a beating throughout the years, that’s for sure. If I go on tour or do a few shows without at least getting my hands in shape, it will be rough. There have been times that my hands have just gone numb because of the pain but I have to keep playing. I definitely can’t go cold turkey and just start touring & playing full force after a 6-month layoff. My hands would just be wrecked. My hands are great for playing Butt Bongo though since I smack skins for a living. Haha!
Last words for the people?
I wanna thank everyone for their support throughout my career. I’ll be doing more shows with Rhettmatic and doing a European tour this fall so stay tuned & check my website for the schedule because we will be hitting your town soon. Be on the lookout for the new Cypress album later this year. Also, don’t forget to pick out my latest album called “Meeting Of The Minds” available in stores & online on Nacional Records.
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